Method and apparatus for patch panel patch cord documentation and revision

ABSTRACT

Intelligent patch panels support patch cord management in communications networks. Modular patch panels can be connected to one another for the purposes of sharing power and also for the purposes of monitoring patch cord connections and reporting the status of patch cord connections to a network management system. Each port of an intelligent patch panel may be provided with out-of-band contacts to allow for monitoring and reporting of patch cord connectivity information. According to one embodiment, out-of-band contacts send identification information regarding their associated patch panel ports along a ninth wire of a patch cord.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/673,927, filed Feb. 12, 2007, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 60/773,264 filed Feb. 14, 2006,entitled “Method and Apparatus for Patch Panel Patch Cord Documentationand Revision.” This application further incorporates by reference intheir entireties U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/265,316, filed Nov.2, 2005, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Patch Panel Patch CordDocumentation and Revision”; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.No. 60/737,919, filed Nov. 18, 2005, entitled “Smart Cable Provisioningin Interconnect Applications for a Patch Cord Management System”; U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/462,895, filed Aug. 7, 2006, entitled“Systems and Methods for Detecting a Patch Cord End Connection”; andU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/560,112, filed Nov. 15, 2006,entitled “Smart Cable Provisioning for a Patch Cord Management System.”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to network cable management.

BACKGROUND

Communications networks are growing in number and complexity. Monitoringnetwork connections, including the management of patch panelconnections, is an important task in network management. There is adesire for a patch panel management architecture that is reliable andscalable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a patch cordmanagement system supports patch cord management in communicationsnetworks having a cross-connect configuration.

Methods and apparatuses are provided for monitoring and reporting cableconnectivity such as intelligent patch panel port-level connectivity inreal-time. For the intelligent patch panel system example, the approachis based on a distributed architecture that may be modularly scalable,that eliminates the need for monitoring systems that continuously scanninth wire connections, and that eliminates the need for complex cablingbetween patch panels and the monitoring systems. Each intelligent patchpanel is the same as every other intelligent patch panel. Connectivityinformation can be determined instantly and communicated via an Ethernetlink to a Network Management System (NMS) upon additions, removals, orchanges to connections between intelligent patch panels. Polling delaysand polling-related overhead is eliminated by supporting real-timemonitoring of port connectivity at the port level. The approach iscontrolled by a multipurpose NMS.

Embodiments of the present invention comprise a network connectiondocumentation system which starts the documentation process when a firstpatch cord is installed in a port of an intelligent patch panel andnotifies the NMS of any change in the patch field in real time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a front view of intelligent patch panels according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of two intelligent patch panels in a connectionprocess;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a patch cord detection assembly according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4-6 are diagrams of a patch cord detection assembly according toanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 7-17 illustrate patch cord detection contacts according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a partially exploded view of an intelligent patch panelfurther showing a plug for insertion into the intelligent patch panel;

FIG. 19 is a side sectional view of a plug inserted into the intelligentpatch panel; and

FIG. 20 is a front isometric view of the plug contact mated to theintelligent patch panel contacts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is directed to methods and systems for monitoring,documenting, and guiding patch cord changes in a patch field of acommunications network.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of seven exemplary modular, intelligentpatch panels 202(a-g). Each intelligent patch panel 202 is based upon amodularly scalable, distributed architecture. Each patch panel 202 mayinclude a pair of network connection ports 220 that allow the respectivepatch panels to be interconnected in a daisy-chain configuration to anetwork connection 210 using daisy-chain network cables 208 (e.g.,relatively short spans of 4-pair network cable terminated inconventional RJ-45 terminators). Network connection 210 may providenetwork connectivity to each patch panel in the daisy-chain and maythereby provide each patch panel in the daisy-chain with connectivity toa remote Network Management System (NMS). Further, each patch panel 202may include a pair of power sharing ports 218 that allow the patchpanels to be interconnected in a daisy-chain configuration to a singlepower supply 222 using daisy-chain power cables 216 (e.g., relativelyshort spans of DC or AC electrical power cabling with appropriateconnectors).

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram depicting an exchange of out-of-bandmessages between an intelligent patch panel 302(a) labeled “patch panelX” and an intelligent patch panel 302(b) labeled “patch panel Z.” Theports of patch panels according to the present invention may communicateconnection information between each other. For example, as shown in FIG.2, patch panel port 304(a) associated with panel X may generate anoutbound message “patch panel X/Port 21” to indicate that patch panelport 304(a) is the twenty-first port on patch panel X. As shown in FIG.3, port 304(b) associated with patch panel Z may generate an outboundmessage “patch panel Z/Port 17” to indicate that patch panel port 304(b)is the seventeenth port on patch panel Z. Messages may be coordinated asfurther explained below to inform the NMS of any changes to patch cordconnections.

Each patch panel port of the present invention is provided with contactsthat enable intelligent patch panels according to the present inventionto identify when patch cord plugs have been inserted into ports of theintelligent patch panels. FIGS. 3-17 illustrate patch panel contacts andnine-wire patch cords that may be used in certain embodiments of thepresent invention. Further, each patch panel port is provided withindicator lights which allow the intelligent patch panels to guide eachstep of the addition or removal of patch cords connected between patchpanels. These indicator lights may be implemented as dual-color red andgreen LEDs, for example. FIG. 7 shows an example of a light pipe openingaccommodating indicator lights. The use of contacts such as those shownand described below (with reference to FIGS. 3-17) enables guidedaddition and removal processes, instant recognition of plug insertionsand removals by the intelligent patch panels, and immediatecommunication of plug insertions and removals by intelligent patchpanels to the NMS.

Addition of a patch cord will now be described with reference to FIG. 2.In addition and removal processes according to the present invention,LEDs associated with patch panel ports are used as follows:

On: Add a plug Flashing: Remove a plug Green: Normal operation Red: Anerror has been made.

In the illustrated patch cord installation process, a nine-wire patchcord 312 is to be connected between the twenty-first port 304(a) of afirst intelligent patch panel 302(a) and the seventeenth port 304(b) ofa second intelligent patch panel 302(b) as shown in FIG. 2. The systemorders the installation and lights designated port LEDs associated withboth ports 302(a) and 304(b) solid green. Next, either plug 314(a) or314(b) may be installed into its corresponding port. For example, theplug 314(a) on one end of the patch cord 312 is installed into the port304(a). If the plug 314(a) is plugged into one of the designated portsfor the cord installation (e.g., port 304(a)), the LED associated withthat port is turned off and the NMS is notified (for example, via aconnection between the patch panel and the NMS as illustrated in FIG.1). If the plug is plugged into the wrong port, the LED associated withthe wrong port flashes red until the plug is removed. The same procedureis followed for the installation of the other plug of the patch cord.

When both plugs are connected, the jack into which the first plug wasinstalled transmits its identification information over the ninth wireof the patch cord 312 to the jack into which the second patch cord plugwas installed. This communication is preferably accomplished via anout-of-band communication on the ninth wire of a nine-wire patch cord312. The intelligent patch panel into which the second patch cord wasinstalled then transmits the identification information of bothconnected ports to the NMS.

A patch cord removal process is initiated when the system orders theremoval of the patch cord and LEDs associated with the designated portson each end of the patch cord to be removed both flash green. The plugon one end is removed and, if it is one of the designated ports, the LEDassociated with the port from which the plug was removed is turned offand the NMS is notified of the removal of the plug.

If a plug is removed from an incorrect port, the LED associated with theincorrect port lights solid red to indicate that the plug is to bereplaced. When the plug is replaced, an identification transmission,similar to the above, is made to ensure the correct plug was installed.

When the plug at the second end of the patch cord is removed, a similarprocedure is followed.

If any change in the patch cord field is made which has not beenordered, red LEDs of the jack or jacks associated with the problem willbe lit solid or flashing red. The NMS will be notified and anyin-process installation or removal procedure will be halted until theproblem is rectified.

FIGS. 3-5 illustrate contact assemblies that may be used in someembodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, ninth-wirepanel contacts 420 and 421 (each having respective contact portionsdesignated “a” and “b”) are provided in panels 430 and 431. The panelcontacts, in combination with connectivity detectors 460 and 461 andtransceivers 400 and 401, allow the intelligent patch panels to detectthe insertion of ninth-wire cord contacts 415 or 416 of a nine-wirepatch cord 410 and to communicate necessary information betweenintelligent patch panels as described above. FIGS. 4-6 illustrate oneembodiment of a contact assembly 520, having three contact portions 520a, 520 b, and 520 c installed in a panel 530. A ninth wire contact 515of a nine-wire patch cord 510 is inserted between the contacts, thuscompleting a circuit and enabling the features described above. Theninth wire contact 515 may be provided with a hole or indentation 517into which the overlapping sections of the portion 520 a, 520 b, and 520c may nestle. These embodiments are further shown and described in U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/706,029, filed Aug. 8, 2005,entitled “Systems and Methods for Detecting a Patch Cord EndConnection,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIGS. 7-17 illustrate another embodiment of contacts that may be used inthe present invention. The embodiment of FIGS. 7-17 comprises a contactarea 600 that is positioned to contact ninth wire contacts of nine-wirepatch cords. The contact area 600 houses upper and lower contacts 602and 604, each of which is inserted into and makes electrical contactwith a printed circuit board (PCB) as shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 8 shows aportion 606 of the PCB. As shown in FIG. 7, the assembly may be providedin an intelligent patch panel cover 610 that is provided with light-pipeopenings 612 at each port position. Proper tension to ensure normalcontact force between the upper and lower contacts 602 and 604 andcontacts on a plug may be maintained with the use of upper and lowerspring loops 612 and 614 as shown in FIG. 10.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7-20, as in other embodiments, acontact such as a blade contact on the plug completes a circuit betweenthe upper and lower contacts 602 and 604, which allows immediatedetection of plug insertion. The connectivity detector circuitry may beprovided on the PCB 606.

FIG. 18 is a partially exploded view of a portion of an intelligentpatch panel according to one embodiment having upper and lower contacts702 and 704 installed therein. The contacts 702, 704 are mounted andelectrically connected to the PCB 706, which is provided on a face plate707. A section 709 of the panel (which may be a stamped metal panel) isshown. a panel cover 711 provided with light-pipe openings 712 and panelcontact shrouds 713 is installed on the front face of the panel. A jack715 is shown within the panel section 709. A plug 717 having a plugblade contact 719 is also shown.

Contacts of the type shown in FIGS. 7-20 offer a self-aligning contactinterface area that can move left or right to allow panel contacts toalign with plug contacts. The contact geometry and mounting locationfacilitate this alignment. The contacts are preferably made ofpre-plated round wire which reduces or eliminates scrap, eliminates theneed for stamping dies, provides good yield strength, and enableslow-cost construction of the contacts. Loop dimensions of the upper andlower spring loops 612 (e.g., length and radius of the loops) can bechanged to adjust contact normal force without changing the overalldesign of the contacts.

The principles of the present invention may be applied to other specificsystems. For example, patch cords according to other embodiments of thepresent invention are designed for use in optical communication networksor in other electrical communication networks that do not employ RJ-45plugs and jacks.

While the present invention has been described with reference to one ormore particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognizethat many changes may be made thereto without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention. Each of these embodiments andobvious variations thereof is contemplated as falling within the spiritand scope of the claimed invention, which is set forth in the followingclaims.

1. A modular patch panel for use in a system for documenting and guidingpatch cord connections comprising: a port wherein the port comprises anupper contact and a lower contact, the upper and lower contacts beingarranged such that a circuit is completed between the upper contact andlower contact when a blade contact is positioned between the uppercontact and the lower contact and wherein the upper and lower contactsoffer a self-aligning contact interface area; and wherein the modularpatch panel is adapted to communicate with a network management systemvia an out-of-band communication through a blade contact positionedbetween the upper and lower contacts.
 2. The modular patch panel ofclaim 1 wherein at least one of the upper contact and lower contact hasa spring loop adapted to provide sufficient normal force to promoteelectrical connection between the at least one upper contact and lowercontact and the blade contact.
 3. The modular patch panel of claim 2wherein said upper contact and said lower contact are mounted andelectrically connected to a printed circuit board which is provided on aface plate of the modular patch panel.
 4. The modular patch panel ofclaim 1 wherein the upper and lower contacts are made of pre-platedround wire.
 5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a panel coverhaving light-pipe openings adapted to allow an installer to viewindicator lights.
 6. The system of claim 1 further comprising a panelcover having panel contact shrouds.